The Door to Cuba Has Opened for Americans

While some snobby Canadians and Europeans will no doubt be dejected by this news, I am happy to report that the United States has further loosened travel restrictions to Cuba, making it possible for almost any American now to visit the communist island nation just 90 miles off U.S. shores.

My barb at the "cultured" is not mere jest–I am sick of tired of hearing people lament that they will now lose their only haven from "the Americans." Look, I know Americans are not perfect–in fact, sometimes they make me downright embarrassed to be an American–but the hubris of condescendingly meting out judgment on a country of 300 million people based on the actions of a few bad apples strikes me as patently jejune. If I hear one more time that Americans will be responsible for Cuba’s cultural demise, I am going to personally open a McDonald’s franchise in Havana out of spite.

In all seriousness, I read a fascinating article yesterday in the International Herald Tribune about how four luxury golf courses are planned for Cuba–a sport Fidel Castro soon banned after assuming power, labeling it a Bourgeoisie vice. No longer propped up by their Soviet backers in Moscow, Cuba is in the midst of a dramatic shift away from their failed command economy system. As Cuban authorities continue to announce reforms that will open up the economy of the small island nation (Cubans will finally be able to own land–imagine that!) look for more changes that might rile up those who like Cuba just the way it is–but these changes will be good for the Cuban people.

Boy have I digressed…

Anyway, the point of this post is to highlight recent changes to U.S. Treasury Department Policy that will allow Americans to more easily obtain travel permits to go to Cuba. The Embargo is still in place and Americans cannot just hop on a plane to Cuba–yet, but new policies (actually a reversion to Clinton-era policy that were tightened by the Bush Administration in 2004) allow Americans to gain access to Cuba for a number of reasons that have been closed off the last seven years.

While tourism is still not technically permitted, "people-to-people contacts" will now be permitted–meaning trips to take in Cuban architecture or music or nature while bringing together "average Cubans with average Americans" will be approved. Church groups will also be able to restart short-term missions trips to the island and students will be now be permitted to embark on short-term study abroad trips in Cuba.

I am planning a trip the week after Christmas to interact with Cuban’s aviation industry and get a feel for Cubana Airlines–a trip that will provide plenty of opportunities for people-to-people contact and provide readers of this blog a look into an airline that boasts some very unique aircraft type.

The new policy is "a far cry from the pre-revolution days when Havana’s mob-controlled nightclubs and casinos were a playground for the likes of Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr. and Greta Garbo. Back then, cheap ferries and flights from Florida meant tourists could party through the night and leave in the morning without bothering to rent a room." But it is a step in the right direction.

About Author

Matthew

Matthew is an avid traveler who calls Los Angeles home. Each year he
travels more than 200,000 miles by air and has visited more than 120
countries over the last decade. Working both in the aviation industry
and as a travel consultant, Matthew has been featured in the New York
Times, Chicago Tribune, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, BBC, Fox News,
CNN, ABC, CBS, NBC, Al Jazeera, Toronto Star, and on NPR. Studying
international relations, American government, and later obtaining a
law degree, Matthew has a plethora of knowledge outside the travel
industry that leads to a unique writing perspective. He has served in
the United States Air Force, on Capitol Hill, and in the White House.
His Live and Let's Fly blog shares the latest news in the airline
industry, commentary on frequent flyer programs and promotions, and
detailed reports of his worldwide travel. His writings on
penandpassport.com offer more general musings on life from the eyes of a frequent traveler. He also founded awardexpert.com, a
highly-personalized consulting service that aids clients in the
effective use of their credit card points and frequent flyer miles.
Clients range from retirees seeking to carefully use their nest egg of
points to multinational corporations entrusting Matthew with the
direction and coordination of company travel.

4 Comments

Even with the restrictions, it is still extremely easy to get a flight to Cuba, just having to layover at YYZ. Part of the insanity of the extreme restrictions was that while we were banning citizens from visiting, Cuba was one of the most promoted summer destinations in Downtown Toronto.

@Nick: It has always been very easy to get to Cuba via Canada or Mexico, but up until this point I just haven’t been willing to break the law–even though I have grave Consitutional concerns about it. I am just happy that it is becoming easier and easier for us to visit Cuba.

yes you could always GET to Cuba. But especially w/ electronic passports, you don’t want to do that… especially if you ever want a job where you might need clearance or work in a government role.

But… Matthew, aren’t you a german citizen? or are you just an American citizen? One way I had thought about going was planning a trip to Jamaica w/ my American passport… and then doing a trip to Cuba from Jamaica w/ my Hungarian passport.

Anyhow, glad to hear that with some of the restrictions lifted, I should be able to go and check it out without loopholes!